family classic car; what to buy?

[Carl N.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

i'm partial to MoPars "B" bodies 62-70 Dodges & Plymouths -- for a first timer go to a Good Guys event or local cruise nites or local Cars-N-Coffee and look at what's out there - IMO the '65 & '66 Galaxie 500 with 352 or 390 are underpriced and would be a great family barge

[Don H.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

I must admit I have not read all the threads above. This IS a Corvette forum. You can fit 10 and younger children in a mid-year (63-67) Corvette coupe. My family (2 adults & 2 kids) took a 1000 mile vacation in a '64 coupe. OK, I am "old school". Don H.

[Terry M.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

Keep in mind if you get one of the "land yachts" described above -- you better have a lengthy garage. Some of those things are huge in comparison the today's cars and normal garages are not built for them. If you own a home built in the '30s or even many from the '40s you will find the garage is too short. Your storage facilities may influence your decision.

Back in the military one of my roommates bought a 1963 Bonneville convertible. You could have rented out the trunk for housing, and servicing the engine required climbing into the engine compartment. I could do that back then.

[Michael J.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

Keep in mind if you get one of the "land yachts" described above -- you better have a lengthy garage. Some of those things are huge in comparison the today's cars and normal garages are not built for them. If you own a home built in the '30s or even many from the '40s you will find the garage is too short. Your storage facilities may influence your decision.

Back in the military one of my roommates bought a 1963 Bonneville convertible. You could have rented out the trunk for housing, and servicing the engine required climbing into the engine compartment. I could do that back then.

+1, I had a '64 Dodge Polara 500, 426 street wedge, not long ago, and even though it was a 2 door HT, it almost didn't fit in my garage, and it had a trunk 4 guys could get into, and did sneaking into drive-ins when I had one just like it in high school.....

[Robert K.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

I have 4 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlasses. I decided on Olds Cutlass because they were half the price of a Chevelle 20 years ago. You can pick up a nice convertible for under $20k. If you want to be a little sportier, step up to a 442. The nice thing about Oldsmobiles, most have AC. www.classicoldsmobile.com.

[Kevin G.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

Hi Erik,
Grass is green on the other side of the fence? What I'm saying is with all the classic European models available to you, why would you limit yourself to an American made product? Just asking!

[Patrick H.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

Back in the military one of my roommates bought a 1963 Bonneville convertible. You could have rented out the trunk for housing, and servicing the engine required climbing into the engine compartment. I could do that back then.

I have a photo from college of me sitting inside the engine compartment of my roommate's 72 Cutlass replacing his intake. I know exactly what you mean.

[John H.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

In 1967, I had a '67 Impala SS427, special-ordered by Engineering with the L-72 427/425hp with a 4-speed (bought from the CEC Engineering fleet at 3000 miles); fantastic car, wish I still had it (sold it in Flint in '68, probably iron oxide powder by now). Looked just like the one below except it was a big-block. Six Bosnians could live in the trunk of those cars - the rear quarter panels were as long as the entire body side of today's cars.


67ImpalaExt.jpg67ImpalaExt2.jpg67ImpalaInt2.jpg67ImpalaInt3.jpg

[Mike E.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

In 1967, I had a '67 Impala SS427, special-ordered by Engineering with the L-72 427/425hp with a 4-speed (bought from the CEC Engineering fleet at 3000 miles); fantastic car, wish I still had it (sold it in Flint in '68, probably iron oxide powder by now). Looked just like the one below except it was a big-block. Six Bosnians could live in the trunk of those cars - the rear quarter panels were as long as the entire body side of today's cars.


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The dash of a 1967 Impala was kind of unique to the full size Chevrolet. It was about the only year I can think of they used round dial type gauges. IMO they looked much sportier then the long speedometer that other years had. Wasn't 1967 GM's 50th anniversary? And that the reason for the GM plaque on all models?

Mike

[Michael J.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

The dash of a 1967 Impala was kind of unique to the full size Chevrolet. It was about the only year I can think of they used round dial type gauges. IMO they looked much sportier then the long speedometer that other years had. Wasn't 1967 GM's 50th anniversary? And that the reason for the GM plaque on all models?

Mike

GM was founded in 1908, and this 50th Anniversary show was produced in 1957: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0774760/

[Erik S.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

thanks All - that is all very helpful. As I was born in the Netherlands in 1972 and raised in the late 70, early 80ties many of the great 60ties models are unknown to me (still). And Kevin, why not a European car? Well, I have been looking at RR Corniches, Jaguar XJS etc etc, but have you ever tried to sit at the back seat? Normally the nice EU convertibles are small and even more important, don't have a stupid big engine, and that is what I like. It seems that the Chevelles are in the high 30ties, low 40K and Impala's are much cheaper. Want to spend no more than 25-30K USD. My garage is big enough, 36/37 ft long - it fits 4 corvettes now (well actually 3 with one body off) 2 by 2. And I think if I raise this family car on a lift (ceiling is high enough) then a chevelle, impala should fit. Will keep you updated and if you know a friend, family member that has one for sale then you know I am in the market

[Philip P.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

Don ,
This brings back memories 3 kids, cooler and a 200 mile round trip from Spokane, Wa to Grand Coolee Dam, in a 1965 coupe. So much for seat belts.
Phil

[Loren L.]

Re: family classic car; what to buy?

65-7 Impala SS convertible, 327 and factory A/C - drop an older 700R-4 in and enjoy.